Vehicle wheel having a decorative member attached to a base wheel and method of manufacture

Abstract

A novel vehicle wheel and method for manufacturing and attaching the novel vehicle wheel generally comprising a decorative member that is attached to a base wheel. In one non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of mounting apertures are provided on the base wheel that is secured to the vehicle axis/hub. The decorative member is provided with corresponding apertures that are aligned with the mounting holes of the base wheel. Bolt member, preferably hexagonal bolts are then inserted/threaded through the aligned apertures for securing the decorative member to the base wheel. A novel manufacturing method is also disclosed for manufacturing the base wheel and decorative attachment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising a base wheel having a center hub bore, a plurality of securing holes, the base wheel adapted for conventional securement to an axle or hub of a motor vehicle; and
 a separate body member shaped to form a specific design, the body member removably attached to a central portion of the base wheel, the body member having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with the plurality of securing holes when the separate body member is attached to the base wheel;   wherein the specific design extends upward and outward from a central area of the body member within a perimeter portion of the base wheel and away from a vehicle that the base wheel is adapted for securement to during use.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle wheel of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of bolts, wherein when attaching the body member to the base wheel each aperture of the plurality of body member apertures is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of securing holes of the base wheel and a bolt from the plurality of bolts is inserted in each of the aligned body member aperture/base wheel hole combinations. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle wheel of  claim 2  wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is a threaded aperture and each bolt of the plurality of bolt is a threaded bolt. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the base wheel having a plurality of spokes that form a specific design for the base wheel and a plurality of mounting holes, wherein the plurality of mounting holes and plurality of securing holes are both located at an inner end of the plurality of spokes. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle wheel of  claim 1  wherein the body member having a symmetrical shape. 
     
     
         6 . A multiple piece vehicle wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising
 a base wheel having a center hub bore, a first plurality of mounting holes and second plurality of securing holes, the second plurality of securing holes adjacent to the first plurality of mounting holes, the base wheel adapted for conventional securement to an axle or hub of a motor vehicle;   a separate body member shaped to form a specific design that extends upward and outward from a central area of the body member, the body member removably attached to a center portion of the base wheel such that the upward and outward extension is within a perimeter portion of the base wheel and away from a vehicle that the base wheel is adapted for securement to during use, the body member having a plurality of apertures that are aligned with the second plurality of securing holes when the separate body member is attached to the base wheel; and   a plurality of bolts, wherein when attaching the body member to the base wheel each aperture of the plurality of body member apertures is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of securing holes of the base wheel and a bolt from the plurality of bolts is inserted in each of the aligned body member aperture/base wheel hole combinations.   
     
     
         7 . The multiple piece vehicle wheel of  claim 6  wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is a threaded aperture and each bolt of the plurality of bolt is a threaded bolt. 
     
     
         8 . The multiple piece vehicle wheel of  claim 6  wherein the base wheel having a plurality of spokes that form a specific design for the base wheel and the plurality of mounting holes and the plurality of securing holes are both located at an inner end of the plurality of spokes. 
     
     
         9 . The multiple piece vehicle wheel of  claim 6  wherein the body member having a symmetrical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The multiple piece vehicle wheel of  claim 6  wherein the base wheel having a groove, wherein when the separate body member is attached to the base wheel a portion of the separate body member is received within the groove of the base wheel.